Neighbors: Have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend

The federal holiday started as a way to remember and honor the men and women who died while serving their country.

Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated after the Civil War to commemorate Union and Confederate soldiers who died in that war and in the 20th century it was extended to honor all Americans who died while serving their country.

Memorial Day is always the last Monday of May and marks the unofficial start of summer.

What will you do this Memorial Day? Will you go to a parade? Have a cookout with family or friends? Visit a cemetery or memorial?

According to the National Weather Service in Taunton, there’s a chance of rain on Saturday and Sunday, but temperatures will be in the 70s. On Monday, the sky will clear. It’s supposed to be mostly sunny, and temperatures should reach the mid-70s. Sounds like Monday is the day for outdoor activities.

Whatever you do, please stay safe, have a great time, and to those who have it off, enjoy your three-day weekend.

ARTSPACE COMMUNITY ARTS CENTER WILL HOLD A RECEPTION for its new Public Hanging Gallery tonight from 5:30 to 7:30 in Artspace, 15 Mill St. in Greenfield. Artists ranging in age from the teens to retired people will be exhibiting their work, so try and make it to support your neighbors.

GREEN RIVER HOUSE will hold its annual tag sale today from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at its Clubhouse at 37 Franklin St.

TRAVEL TO COLRAIN ON SATURDAY to help Colrain EMS celebrate its 1,000th call. The EMS will celebrate the milestone at Colrain Town Hall, 51 Main Road with a barbecue, softball game, kids’ stuff and lots of recognition.

For more information, contact Gary Ponce at 413-624-0128 or email: 8med4@live.com.

ARE YOU READY FOR the North Quabbin Cruisers to return? Well, they will on Sunday from 4 to 7 p.m. and will continue to meet on Sundays through Labor Day weekend.

The group of local car lovers take to the streets each year to support local causes with their classic and antique cars, trucks and motorcycles.

Cruise Nights will be held at the Athol-Orange Elks Club on Route 2A. There will be a chicken barbecue, hot dogs, hamburgers, drinks and raffle items each week, along with a good variety of classic and antique vehicles and their owners.

GREENFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM is hosting a district wide volunteer reception on Wednesday at Federal Street School. If you were one of the more than 100 community members and parents who were active volunteers this year, you are invited.

Volunteers were involved with classroom, recess and lunch support, tutoring, and were library aides, field trip chaperones, walk-to-school helpers, and after-school helpers. You helped at PTO events and in the Wellness and Nutrition programs, and you were pen pals for the Math and Science Academy’s pen pal project.

The reception will begin at 4 p.m. with a social time to meet fellow volunteers, teachers and administrators.

Members of the Greenfield High School Chorus will perform at 4:30 p.m. and a short program to thank volunteers will follow.

It’s the first time Greenfield schools have hosted a late afternoon reception — typically it has been held in the morning.

TWO LOCAL HEALTH GROUPS have teamed up to connect poor families with diapers.

Several groups, with the help of Community Action and Clinical Support Options, will deliver diapers next month to service organizations and food pantries.

Organizers are accepting diaper or cash donations. Checks may be made payable to “Community Action — Diaper Drive” and sent to Baystate Franklin Medical Center, which will have collection boxes in its lobby until 5:30 p.m. today; The Brick House Community Resource Center, 243 Main St. in Turners Falls from 2:30 to 6 p.m. through Saturday; Clinical and Support Options, 1 Arch Place in Greenfield (call ahead to check hours at 413-774-1000) through today; Greenfield Community College’s downtown campus on Main Street in Greenfield through today; and the Salasin Center, 474 Main St. in Greenfield from noon to 3 p.m. today.

THE FRANKLIN COUNTY FAIR is just a few months away and Steven DeJoy, the fair’s Attractions Committee chairman, is once again looking for interesting and entertaining acts to take the Community Stage during the fair this year. If you are a musician, band, singer, dance group, magician, juggler, or any other type of performance artist who would like to perform at this year’s fair in exchange for admission tickets, please let Steve know by calling him at 413-225-3030 or email him at: fcasattractions@yahoo.com.

The fair will be held Sept. 4 through 7.

THROUGHOUT JUNE, DAKIN Pioneer Valley Humane Society will spay or neuter your puppies and kittens that are younger than six months for $20.

Sponsored by PetSmart Charities, the “Precious, Not Parents” campaign will spay and neuter the first 300 animals who are preregistered.

So, give Dakin a call to set up an appointment to spay or neuter your kitten or puppy at 413-781-4019 or visit: www.dpvhs.org.

To contact Anita Fritz, a staff reporter at The Recorder, send an email to: franklincountyneighbors@gmail.com or call 413-772-0261, ext. 280. You can also reach Anita on Facebook at Anita’s Neighbors. Information to be included in Neighbors may also be sent to: neighbors@recorder.com up to noon two days before you want it to run.